Baling press



' Aug.22,1939. A. J. KRUSE 2,110,084

BALING PRESS Filed July ll, 1936 3 Sheets-.Sheet l Allg. 22, 1939. A- 1KRUSE 2,170,084

` BIALING PRESS Filed July ll, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2` 29 z3 2 .gf/44 AA. J. KRUsE BALING PRESS Aug. z2, 1939.

Filed July 11, 195e s sheets-sheet' 5 Patented Aug. 22, 1939 UNITEDSTATES naar PATLNT OFFIQ 4 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to baling presses and primarily the inventionis an improvement over the press as embodied in my Patent #1,858,742which issued May 1'7, 1932.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved means formaking inoperative the mechanism for moving the plunger on itscompression stroke.

The invention also has for an object to provide bumper means effectiveupon the automatic return stroke of the plunger and also wherein theplunger has movable therewith an element for protecting the operatingmechanism for the plunger when the plunger is retracted and during theperiod hay or the like is being delivered into the baling chamber and toclose the baling chamber against such delivery as the plunger passes thedelivery opening on its compression stroke.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved balingpress whereby certain important advantages are attained and the devicerendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient andadvantageousI for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention -will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a baling press constructed inaccordance with an embodiment of my invention with portions brokenawiay;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken substantiallyon the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view take-n substantiallyon the line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view in top plan of the machine as illustrated in Figure 1withl the spring 61 con- 4 necting the levers, feed hopper and slideplate omitted;

Figure 5 is' an enlarged detailed sectional View taken substantially onthe line 5 5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyon the -line 6 6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line I'I of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a view in top plan with a portion (Cl. 10U-7) in section ofthe plunger as herein comprised un applied;

Figure 9 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially onthe line @-9 of Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary transverse sectional Y5 view takensubstantially on the line I i@ of Figure 7.

In the accompanying drawings, B denotes a baling chamber the rear ordischarge end portion of which having associated therewith means wherebysaid end portion of the chamber may be contracted or permitted to expandin accordance with the tightness or looseness with which it is desiredto produce a bale. As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, this meanscomprises two bars I extending transversely across the chamber B at thetop and bottom and extending a slight distance beyond the opposite sidesthereof. The extended portions of the members or bars' I have freelydisposed there thro-ugh the upstanding elongated bars 2, the lowerextremity of each of which is provided with a head o-r enlargement 3 forContact from below with the lower member I.

The upper end portion of each of the members 2 has threaded thereon aspeed nut i and interposed between said speed nut and the upper member Iis an expansible member 5 herein disclosed .as a coil spring encirclingthe member 2. 'I'he desired tension at the outer end of the chamber Bmay be readily obtained by proper adjustment of the speed nuts 4.

The forward end portion of the chamber B in its topi is provided with afeed opening 6 defined by a conventional hopper l. As herein disclosed,the side walls at the forward or receiving end of the chamber B aresolid except for an elongated slot 9 extending lengthwise of each sidewall 8 closely adjacent to the bottom of the chamber. Each of theseslots 9 constitutes a guideway as will hereinafter be more particularlyreferred to.

Each of the side walls 3 closely adjacent to the rear of the feedopening 6 is provided with ar pair of vertically spaced slots I0.Through these slots .45 I0 are disposed from without the holding lugs ordogs II, each of which is carried by a free end portion of an elongatedarm I2. The opposite end portion of the arm I2 is provided with a rightangular extension I4 which is rotatably disposed thro-ugh and held by abearing I5 secured to the outer face of the adjacentside wall 8. Thisextension I4 is continued by an arm E6 extending inwardly of theassociated arm I2 and substantially in parallelism therewith.

Both of the arms I6, as clearly illustrated in Figure l, are arrangedbetween the arms I2. Bridging the space between these arms' I6 andcontacting therewith from without is a substantially rigid strap Il, thecentral portion of which has freely disposed therethrough a shank I8.This shank I8 is secured to the adjacent side wall 8 and extendsoutwardly therefrom. The outer end portion of this shank i8 has threadedthereon a nut lil. Surrounding this shank it and interposed between thestrap il and the nut I9 is an expansible member 2li herein disclosed `asa coil spring. The tension of the sp-ring may be controlled or regulatedas desired by proper adjustment of the nut or stop IS lengthwise of theshank I8.

By the mounting of the lugs or dogs II as herein disclosed, it is to benoted that one of such lugs or dogs may readily move outwardlyindependently of the other whereby the efficiency of the dogs or lugs ismaterially increased.

The chamber B is supported as desired upon transversely disposed sills2l and extending forwardly from the front sill 2! are the horizontallydisposed bottom sills 22 of desired length. These sills 22 at theirfront end are provided with the upstanding columns 23 of desired heightand each of which columns intermediate its ends is suitably secured to aside member 24 comprised in the forward frame structure of theapparatus. Each of these members 24 has its inner end portion anchoredto the forward end of the baling chamber B by an angle plate 25 which,as particularly illustrated in Figures l and '7, extends a materialdistance above the member 24. Each of these plates 25 is secureddirectly to an upstanding supporting iron 26 comprised in the structureof the baling chamber at the forward or front end thereof. These irons25 have their upper ends tied or connected by a transverse iron 21.

Welded or otherwise xedly secured to the upper edges of the members 24are the bearing blocks 28. The: forward end portions of these blocks E@provide mountings for the shaft 29 with which rotates a wheel 3l! ofrelatively large diameter and which preferably is of a web type.Extending laterally from the web of the wheel 36 are a series oftrunnions 3 l, each of which having preferably mounted thereon ananti-friction sleeve 32.

As more particularly illustrated in Figure '7, it is to be noted thatthe trunnions 3l are arranged successively at different distancesradially from the axial center of the wheel 3E). The wheel 3S operatesin a` direction indicated by the arrow a in Figures l and 7 and suchrotation, as herein disclosed, is accomplished by providing theperiphery of the wheel Si! with the teeth 33 meshing with a pinion 34fixed to rotate with the shaft 35 rotatably supported by the bearingblocks 2E and bridging the space therebetween. This shaft 35 extends toone side of the forward portion of the frame of the apparatus and tosaid Xtended portion is Xed a gear 3l meshing with a pinion 33. Thispinion 38 rotates with the drive shaft 39 also rotatably supported bythe bearing blocks 28. This shaft 39 also carries a pulley Il@ fordriven connection with a suitable source of power.

The plunger P comprises an elongated member or beam il having disposedalong the major portion thereof a kerf 2 through` which the lowerportion of the wheel 3u is freely disposed, said kerf being of suchdimensions to assure the desired movements of the plunger P withouthinderance or obstruction being offered by such wheel 3d. As hereindisclosed, the kerf d2 opens through the outer end of the. member orbeam di and the opposite or inner end of the member or beam 4l carries ahead i3 of required dimensions. The head :i3 has its marginal portionsdefined by the flanges i4 extending in a direction inwardly of themember or beam fil.

The head 43, as herein disclosed, is held in applied or working positionwith respect to the inner end of the member or beam il by the bracketplates l5 suitably,7 bolted both to the head 43 and to the adjacent endportion of the member or beam ill. The bolts 65 which hold the bracketplates Q5 to the member or beam lll also securely hold against theplates 45 at opposite sides of the member or beam ll the plates 4l. Theplates 4l adjacent to the head 43 are provided with the oppositelydirected and laterally disposed retard bumper wings or lugs 58. As isparticularly illustrated in Figure 8, the rear orr working faces Vof thewings or lugs 48 are substantially coplanar and at right angles to thelongitudinal axis of the member or beam 4I The forward or outer portionof the member or beam 4I at opposite sides of the kerf l2 is provided inits upper face with the racks 49 with which engage the trunnions 3l ormore particularly the anti-friction sleeves 32 carried by saidtrunnions. These trunnions with their sleeves, as is clearly illustratedin Figure l, extend laterally from` the opposite sides of the web of thewheel 3&1. The trunnions 3l are spaced apart successively so that as thewheel 3E) rotates in the direction of the arrow a the teeth willsuccessively Contact with successive teeth of the racks i9 assuring thedesired compression stroke of the plunger P, and the arrangement ofthese trunnions 3l with respect to the axial center of the wheel 3c, ashas been hereinbefore referred to, assures an effective stroke.

The side flanges 4d in the lower portions thereof have disposedtherethrough in a direction transversely of the member or beam 4i ashaft 55, the extremities of which carrying the rollers 5l which workwithin the slots or guideways 9. The rollers 5I in coaction with theslots or guideways 9 provide means whereby the desired movement of 'theplunger P is readily controlled yet at the same time allowing thevplunger to have swinging movement with the shaft 50 serving as afulcrum to compensate for the desired action of the operating means forthe plunger.

The upper or top flange 44 of the head /53 is of a width in excess ofthe width of the remaining flanges. and to the outer o-r freelongitudinal marginal portion of this upper or top ange 1M is hingedlyconnected, as at 52, an end portion of a slide plate 53 of suchdimensions and configuration to move inwardly of the baling chamber Bwith the plunger P to close the feed opening 5 so that, if desired, anew charge of hay or the like may be placed within the hopper 'I so thatupon return stroke of the plunger P the hay or the like can beimmediately pushed down or delivered into the baling chamber.

lI'he outer end portion of this slide plate 53, which is preferablyproduced from a flat metal sheet, is provided with an upstanding flange5d,

the end portions of which are slidably engaged with the guide rods 55.These guide rods are positioned above the bearing blocks 28 and inclinedon a desired angle downwardly toward the' entrance end of the balingchamber B and secured, as at 56, to fthe upper or top transverse memberor iron-2`| hereinbefore referred to.

The opposite or high ends of these guide rods 55 are supported by theupstanding posts 5T supported directly upon the bearing blocks 28. 'I'herods 55 are of a length to extend a distance fo-rwardly from theentrance end of the baling chamber B to provide effective protectiontothevarious operating gears and pinions and parts associated i jtherewith when the plunger P is retracted. This protection isparticularly to prevent hay or the like from falling upon the operatingmechanism and thereby hindering or hampering the desired effectiveoperation of the machine. It is believed to be self-evident that theslide plate 53 possesses sufcient'finherent resiliency or flexibilityto= permit the desired movement with the plunger P;

Secured to the side faces of the member or beam 4| at its outer orforward portion are the angle irons or rails 58, the outer end portionsof which being disposed, as at 58a, on a downward incline with respectto the remaining portion of the rails.

As theplunger moves inwardly of the baling chamber B on its compressionstroke, it places under tension a retractile member 50, herein disclosedas a coil spring, having one end portion anchored to the central portionof the shaft 50,

gi hereinbefore referred to, carried by the lower portion of the head43. The opposite end portion of this member or spring '60 is suitablyanchored to a forward portion of the frame structure. This member orspring 60 automatically retracts the plunger P to its initial positionafter the plunger has completed its compression stroke or at any timeduring the compression stroke of the plunger. This return movement doesnot occur, of course, until after themember or beam 4 I, or moreparticularly the racks 49 thereof, have been released from the action ofthe trunnions 3| carried by the wheel 30.

Normally when the plunger P is in its retracted position, the outerportion thereof is in a lowered position bringing theracks 49 out of thepath of travel of the trunnions 3| but contacts at all times from abovewith the cross member 6| comprised in the rocking arch 62 of a shaft 63.This shaft 63 extends transversely of the machine and is rotatablysupported by the bearings 64 arranged upon the sills 22. The member 6|has rotatably mounted thereon an anti-friction sleeve 65 which hasdirect contact with a member or One end portion of the shaft 63 isextended and fixed to said extended portion in the lower extremity of anupstanding lever '66. The upper end portion of this lever 66 hasconnected thereto an end portion of a retractile member 61, hereindisclosed as a coil spring, of desired tension, while the opposite endportion of said member or spring 6l is secured to a second upstandinglever 68. The lever 58 is pivotally connected at its lower end, as at'69, to an outstanding bracket 'Hl secured to and depending from theadjacent inner plate 25, The intermediate portion of this lever 58 isnormally engaged with a holding bracket H secured to a side iron 26 andextending forwardly therefrom. W'hen this lever 68 is engaged with theholding bracket '|`I the member or Yspring 61 serves to maintain thelever 66 in a ,position whereby the rocking arch 62 maintains the memberorbeam 4| in proper raised position for coaction with the outstandingtrunnions 3| carried by the wheel 30. This member or spring 61, however,allows for a yielding contact so that themember or beam. 4|v may beoperated with a minimum of hindrance or obstruction.

When the lever 68 is released from the holding bracket 1|, the leverB'will move in a .direction to allow the rocking arch 62 to dropwhereupon the beam or member 4| will drop out of operan tive engagementwith the wheel 38 and which reu lease can be readily obtained asdesired. at any point at any time during the compression stroke of thewheel 30. It is', of course, important tobe assured that upon Vthislowering' of the arch member 62 the member or beam 4| or moreparticularly the effective teeth of the racks 4Q, be released fromthe-associated trunnions 3|.

Rotatably disposed through one of the side members 24 is a stub shaft'l2 extending beyond opposite sides of said member 24. The inner endportion of the shaft 'l2 carries a rock arm 1'3 for contact from abovewith the adjacent iro-n or rail 58. The outer extended yportion of theshaft "l2 has fixed thereto an end portion of an elongated rigid arm '|5which extends in a direction towardY the baling chamber B and terminatesa slight distance in advance of the lever E58 when in its normalposition. The free or outer end pori.

tion of this arm 'I5 carries an outwardly and laterally extending arm 16which is contacted by an upwardly and outwardly curved leaf spring l1,the lower end portion of which being xed to the lower portion of thelever 68. As the lever 68 swings outwardly and downwardly the Contact ofthe spring 'I1 with the extension arm 'l swings the arm 'l5 downwardlyand at the same time swings the rock arm |3 in a direction to bear downupon an iron or rail 58 and positively assure complete'release of themember or beam 4|, or more particularly the racks 4S thereof, from thewheel 30. At the same time the lever 56 will drop forwardly and.downwardly to assure the proper lowering of the rack arch 62. Upon itsengagement or release of the member or beam 4|'from the wheel 3U, theretractile member or spring 6|) will immediately retract the plunger Pto its initial or normal position and ready for its next compressionstroke upon proper lifting of the levers 68 and 66 which is effectedsimultaneously through the medium of the interposed expansible member orspring B1.

The shaft l2 is also provided with an upstanding rock arm 18, the upperend vportion of which has secured thereto a retractile member or coilspring T9 which is also suitably secured to the adjacent upright 2'3.This spring 'E9 serves to normally maintain the arm l and, of course,the arm 13 raised so that no obstruction will be beam 4| to effect acompression stroke o-f the plunger. y

As the plunger P is retracted by the member or spring 60 the retardbumper wings or lugs will contact with the cushions or bumpers 88,preferably of rubber, and one of which as herein disn closed dependsfrom a member 24 at the required location to properly limit the outwardor retracting movement of the plunger P under the action of the spring60 so that the plunger will be in proper placement after its succeedingcompression stroke.

The baling chamber B immediately to the rear of the hopper 1 is providedwith a pressure relief plate 8|, This pressure relief formssubjectmatter for a separate application for patent executed on evendate herewith.

My improved apparatus as herein embodied f may be stationary, Or,`ifpreferred, may be mountloffered tothe desired raising of the member ored upon wheels to allow the same to be readily and convenientlytransported, However, as this is believed to be obvious it is notthought that a detailed illustration and description thereof isnecessary.

The plunger P is driven, as hereinbefore set forth, in a forwarddirection by the wheel 3|) through the coaction of the trunnions 3| withthe racks 49. The plunger P does not move forward on a level as it isdesired that initially the head 43 tilt slightly so that the workingface of the head is not in a true perpendicular plane, thus allowing thelower edge portion of the head 43 to enter the chamber B in advance ofthe upper edge. This initial arrangement of the head 43 is to attain agreater compressing force as the hay in the hopper or chamber is morecondensed at the bottom and upwards than at the top. Furthermore, thisinitial positioning of the head 43 aiows more hay to be fed down throughthe opening 6 while the packing of the bale is in progress. As theplunger moves inwardly of the chamber B on the compression stroke thehead 43 gradually assumes a true perpendicular position with the beam 4|gradually assuming a level position, thus assuring the completed baleattaining a more uniform density and a better shape.

From the beginning of the forward movement of the plunger, the beam 4|constantly changes its level, being gradually raised by the rock arm @2until the beam 4| reaches a substantially level position at about thetime the bale is completed. At this point of operation the trunnions 3|nearest the center of the driving wheel 30 disengage from the racks 49of the beam 4| whereupon the plunger P is released from the action ofthe wheel til and retracted under the action of the spring Et, which hasbeen placed under tension as the plunger P moves fo-rwardly, this returnmovement in practice being effected with a high degree of force which,however, is retarded by the frictional contact between the irons orrails 58 from below with the lugs 59, the resultant friction diminishingthe speed of such return until the plunger P is brought to a stop at theend of its return stroke. The inclined portions 58a of the irons orrails 58 provide for increased and more effective resistance at theinitial return movement of the plunger. As illustrated in Figure 10 ofthe drawings, the lugs 59 are suitably secured to the inner or opposedfaces of the columns 23.

The shaft 'l2 is operated to cause the arm '|3 to depress the beam 4| todisengage the racks 49 carried by the beam 4| from the trunnions 3| ofthe wheel 3Q to permit the plunger P to fly back before completing itscompression stroke. This action is particularly desirable in case of anaccident, such as a workman projecting an arm or foot too far into thehopper or chamber B while a bale is being pressed.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a balingpress constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly welladapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which itmay be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that myinvention is susceptible of some change and modification withoutdeparting from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason Ido not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precisearrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carryingout my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

l. The combination with the baling chamber of a press; of areciprocating plunger coacting with said chamber and including anelongated member, a rotatable member, coacting means carried by therotatable member and the elongated member of the plunger for moving theplunger on its compression stroke upon rotation of said rotatablemember, a swinging member positioned below the elongated member of theplunger to engage said elongated member upon movement of the swingingmember in one direction to maintain the elongated member in position formovement by said coacting means, a rock lever movable with said swingingmember, a second lever supported for swinging movement, a retractilespring connecting the rock'lever and the second lever, movement of thesecond lever in one direction imposing pull upon the rock lever in adirection to cause the swinging member to maintain the elongated memberin position for movement by the said coacting means, means forreleasably holding the second lever against return movement, a rock armsupported for movement adjacent to the elongated member, meansassociated with the rock arm for contact by the second lever when swungin a direction to make the connecting spring inoperative for moving therock arm in a direction to contact with the elongated member to movesaid elongated member into inoperatve position with respect to therotatable member, means for normally maintaining the rock arm at thelimit of its movement in the opposite direction, and means forretracting the plunger when the elongated member is free of therotatable member.

2. The combination with the baling chamber of a press; of areciprocating plunger coacting with said chamber and including anelongated member, a rotatable member, coacting means carried by therotatable member and the elongated member of the plunger for moving theplunger on its compression stroke upon rotation of said rotatablemember, a swinging member positioned below the elongated member of theplunger to engage said elongated member upon movement of the swingingmember in one direction to maintain the elongated member in position formovement by said coacting means, a rock lever movable with said swingingmember, a second lever supported for swinging movement, a retractilespring connecting the rock lever and the second lever, movement of thesecond lever in one direction imposing pull upon the rock lever in adirection to cause the swinging member to maintain the elongated memberin position for movement by the said coacting means, means forreleasably holding the second lever against return movement, a rock armsupported for movement adjacent to the elongated member, meansassociated with the rock arm for contact by the second lever when swungin a direction to make the connecting spring inoperative for moving therock arm in a direction to contact with the elongated member to movesaid elongated member into inoperative position with respect to therotatable member, means for normally maintaining the rock arm at thelimit of its movement in the opposite direction, means for retractingthe plunger when the elongated member is free of the rotatable member, aspring arm carried by the second lever, and an elongated arm movablewith the rock arm and with which the spring arm contacts when the secondlever is swung in a direction to make the connecting spring inoperative.

3. The combination with the baling chamber of a press; of areciprocating plunger coacting with said chamber and including anelongated member, a rotatable member, coacting means carried by therotatable member and the elongated member of the plunger for mloving theplunger on its: compression stroke upon rotation of said rotatablemember, a swinging member positioned below the elongated member of theplunger to engage said elongated member upon movement of the swingingmember in one direction to maintain the elongated member in position formovement by said coacting means, a rock lever movable with said swingingmember, a seco-nd lever supported for swinging movement, a retractilespring connecting the rock lever and the second lever, movement of thesecond lever in one direction imposing pull upon the rock lever in adirection to cause the swinging mem,- ber to maintain the elongatedmember in position for movement by the said coacting means, means forreleasably holding the second lever against return movement, .a rock armsupported for movement adjacent to the elongated member, meansassociated with the rock arm for contact by the second lever when swungin a direction to make the connecting spring inoperative for moving therock arm in a direction to contact with the elongated member to movesaid elongated member into inoperative position with respect to therotatable member, means for normally maintaining the rock arm at thelimit of its movement in the opposite direction, means for retractingthe plunger when the elongated member is free of the rotatable member,and automatic means for disengaging the elongated member from therotatable member when the plunger reaches the end of its compressionstroke.

4. The combination with the baling chamber of a press; of areciprocating plunger coacting with said chamber and including anelongated member, a rotatable member, coacting means carried by therotatable member and the elonin one direction imposing pull upon therock lever in a direction to cause the swinging member to maintain theelongated member in position for movement by the said coacting means,means for releasably holding the second lever against return movement, arock arm supported for movement adjacent to the elongated member, meansassociated with the rock arm for contact by the second lever when swungin a direction to make the connecting spring inoperative for moving therock arm in a direction to contact with the elongated member to movesaid elongated member into inoperative position with respect to therotatable member, means for normally maintaining the rock arm at thelimit of its movement in the opposite direction, means for retractingthe plunger when the elongated member is free of the rotatable member,automatic means for disengaging the elongated member from the rotatablemember when the plunger reaches the end. of its compression stroke, saidautomatic means comprising stationary lugs supported at opposite sidesof the elongated member, and downwardly and rearwardly inclined railscarried by the elongated member for coaction with the lugs upon theinitial return stroke Off the plunger to move the elongated member intoa position free of the rotatable member.

ALBERT J. KRUSE.

